Georgia Tech’s Ph.D. in History and Sociology of Technology and Science offers two focused tracks: Technology, Science, and Modern History and Sociology of Science and Technology. Students also earn a Master’s in History and Sociology as part of the program.
Meet current Ph.D. students in the School of History and Sociology and explore recent Ph.D. dissertations to learn more about their work.
Faculty work closely with students to guide research, co-author papers, and ensure timely completion of dissertations. They engage broadly across four core research areas in:
- Science, technology, and medicine
- Politics, power, and inequality
- Social justice and social change
- Communities, places, and the environment
Graduate courses typically meet one day per week for three hours in the late afternoon. Part-time studies are possible, and we welcome students continuing their education while working full-time.
Year One and Two: Completing Your M.S.
The Master’s in History and Sociology is a 30-credit hour program with core courses, electives, and a required research paper. Although there are two M.S. tracks in technology and science and power, politics, and inequality, all Ph.D. students are required take the technology and science track.
Y1
Core Courses
The M.S. curriculum begins with four core courses covering central concepts and methods in history and sociology and key skills in research communication.
- Social Theory introduces key theoretical traditions in modern social theory, including both classical and contemporary works.
- History and Theory introduces key historical traditions and methodological approaches.
- Politics, Power, and Inequality explores different approaches to the study of politics, power, and inequality in history, sociology, and allied fields.
- Communicating Social and Historical Research teaches skills and strategies for effective written, oral, and visual communication of research and provides opportunities to experiment with different modes of delivery.
You must also choose one of the following courses to satisfy your fifth core requirement. You may also take both, with the second counting towards your electives.
- Quantitative Methods in Social and Historical Research introduces statistical reasoning and trains students in methods and tools of quantitative research in the humanities and social sciences. This course may focus on skills such as data curation, linear regression analysis, or geographic information system (GIS).
- Qualitative Methods in Social and Historical Research introduces approaches to qualitative research in the humanities and social sciences. This course may focus on skills such as archival research, oral history, interviewing, or ethnographic observation.
Electives
The M.S. requires five HTS electives, at least two of which must be from the subset of graduate courses focused on science, technology, environment, agriculture, and medicine for those students in the Ph.D. program. These include:
- Proseminar in the History of Technology
- Gender, Science, and Technology
- Technology and Modern Culture
- Studies in Science and Engineering
- Development, Science, and Technology
- Topics in the History of Science
- Sociology of Science and Technology
- Global Environmental History
- Science, Technology, and the Economy
- Inequality, Science, and Technology
- Science, Technology, and National Security
- Topics in the History of Medicine
- Social and Cultural Studies of Biomedicine
- Science and Technology Beyond Borders
- Science, Technology & Society (STS): Core Seminar
Additional electives include:
- Social and Political History of the United States
- Social and Political History of Europe
- Social and Political History of the Nonwestern World
- Business Organizations and Political Economy
- Urbanization
- Race and Ethnicity
You can see descriptions of our electives here.
Up to six of these hours may be credit for independent study for your original research paper or directed readings with individual professors. You can also incorporate an internship or work experience into your degree through the existing Georgia Tech Graduate Internship Program.
Required Research Paper
The final requirement for your M.S. in History and Sociology is the research paper. This paper must be based on substantial original research and should be suitable for publication in an academic journal. You will also have opportunities to present it to your peers.
Your research will be supervised by a School faculty member, who will read and approve your paper along with another faculty member in the School. See our list of faculty and filter by “professors” to explore potential advisors.
Year Three and Onward: Doctoral Requirements
Year three and onward will cover your Ph.D. minor, comprehensive exams, and dissertation research.
Y3
Comprehensive Exams
Preparing for comprehensive exams begins with directed reading courses supervised by members of your exam committee. These exams will cover three fields based on the Ph.D. track you choose.
The required fields for students in the technology, science, and modern history track are:
- History of technology and/or science
- Modern history (global or with a specific geographic focus)
The required fields for students in the sociology of science and technology track are:
- Sociology of science and/or technology
- Social theory and social structure
You can choose the third field with your advisor based on your interests. Only one of the three fields may be taken under the supervision of faculty residing outside of the School of History and Sociology.
Dissertation
The final requirement for your Ph.D. is an original doctoral dissertation and its successful defense in an oral exam. This begins with a prospectus prepared with your advisor, which will be read and approved by three other members of the faculty. (This also provides a basis for grant and fellowship applications.)
Your supervisor and four others will read your final dissertation, including at least one person from another unit at Georgia Tech or from another university.
Ph.D. Minor
To foster interdisciplinary research, all Ph.D. students at Georgia Tech must complete a degree minor consisting of three courses in a discipline outside of their own.
This opens up opportunities to take classes in Georgia Tech’s renowned College of Engineering, our top 25 business school, or other highly-ranked fields such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, or environmental policy. Integrating insights from different fields into your work can bring new perspectives, creativity, and depth to your research.
Advising
Visit the School of History and Sociology faculty page and filter by “professors” to explore potential advisors and learn more about their work. For example:
In Science, Technology, and Medicine, Jennifer Singh investigates the intersections of genetics, health, and society, drawing on her experiences working in the biotechnology industry in molecular biology and as a public health researcher at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
In Politics, Power, and Inequality, Mary McDonald focuses on American culture and sports, including issues of inequality as related to gender, race, class, and sexuality.
In Social Justice and Social Change, Allen Hyde researches stratification and inequality, urban sociology, work and occupations, climate and disaster resilience, and immigration. He conducts research on the effects of race/ethnicity and immigration status on homeownership and social and demographic change in Clarkston, Georgia (known as the most diverse square mile in America).
In Communities, Places, and the Environment, Germán Vergara specializes in environmental and Latin American history. His research explores environmental change, animal history, energy regimes, and the ecological problems of capitalism(s) and industrialization in Latin America.
The admissions deadline for the Ph.D. in the History and Sociology of Technology and Science is Feb. 15. Students seeking financial assistance must submit their materials no later than Jan. 10. Apply via the Graduate Admissions website or contact Helen Anne Curry, director of graduate studies, for more information.
